KOKRAJHAR: A special interaction program titled ‘BTR on the path of progress’ took place at the Jwhwlao Nileswar Brahma Auditorium Hall, Bodoland University in Kokrajhar on Saturday evening, focusing on ensuring equal rights and justice for women engaged in various sectors. The Chief Executive Member (CEM) of the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC), Pramod Boro, engaged with women from Kokrajhar and Chirang districts. In response to inquiries regarding land rights, CEM Pramod Boro stated that the Assam Land Rules and Regulation Act of 1886 was being adhered to by the BTR Government. He noted that many land-related issues within the BTC had remained unresolved due to the absence of land reform in the past; however, the current BTR Government has initiated measures to address these issues through the launch of Mission Bwiswmuthi and Land Melas.
He mentioned that the council had undertaken efforts to allocate land to landless indigenous and bona-fide communities via legal channels. Furthermore, he indicated that 31 lakh bighas of land in BTC were designated as tribal belts and blocks, while over 21 lakh bighas were classified as forest, PGR, VGR, and khas lands. Despite these circumstances, the council government is striving to grant land rights to bona-fide citizens through a legal framework. Regarding the increasing trend of youth engaging in drug and alcohol use, Boro expressed that drug addiction has emerged as a significant global issue, with backward regions like BTC being particularly susceptible. He urged NGOs and civil society organizations to take the initiative in raising awareness and providing counseling for misguided youth. Additionally, he mentioned that the BTR Government has established five rehabilitation centers and five counseling centers as part of its efforts to combat drug abuse. He further emphasized the need for religious groups and government institutions to actively participate in educating against drug use. He expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister of Assam, Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, for his swift actions in addressing drug use and its supply networks.
CEM stated that to amicably resolve the issues faced by all 26 communities, the Government of BTR initiated the Bodoland Happiness Mission, engaged with community leaders to understand their fundamental challenges, and subsequently developed Community Vision Documents for each of the 26 communities in the region. He mentioned that the Community Welfare Department of the Government of BTR would hold a minimum of four meetings annually with all community leaders to address their outstanding issues.
Women participants raised concerns regarding the safety and security of women, measures against domestic violence and crimes targeting women, as well as support for women writers and sports figures.
In his address, former Deputy Chief of BTC Kampa Borgoyari emphasized that women should receive equal rights, responses, and support from their male counterparts, and that the Government of BTR was committed to empowering women across all domains, from education to entrepreneurship, and from social to political arenas, including sports. He noted that the Government of India’s slogan “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao” aimed at empowering women was being actively implemented in BTC, adding that while there were no reserved seats for women in BTC constituencies, it was time to ensure a 33 percent reservation for women in the political arena. He also pointed out that there were 40 BTC constituencies and 420 VCDCs where the representation of women was given significant priority. Furthermore, he stated that if a 33 percent reservation for women was established, approximately 100 women would have the opportunity to serve as VCDC chairpersons or elected representatives in BTC.
Previously, the welcome address was delivered by the Chairperson of Kokrajhar Municipal Board (KMB) and President of the Women Wing UPPL, Pratibha Brahma. The special interaction program was also attended by MLA Lawrence Islary, MCLAs Reo Reoa Narzihary and Madhav Chandra Chetri, faculty members from BU, and other distinguished guests.
